URGENT UPDATE: MSNBC is undergoing a major rebranding, now set to be called MS NOW—short for My Source New Opinion World. This announcement follows the decision by NBC to strip the network of its iconic peacock logo, a move confirmed during a staff meeting led by Mark Lazarus.
This development, just revealed, marks a significant shift for the left-leaning cable channel. The new branding comes as part of a broader reorganization by NBCUniversal, aiming to transition its cable assets into a separate publicly traded company by the end of 2025—a plan initially announced in November 2023.
The transformation includes a dramatic change in the channel’s logo, moving from the colorful peacock to a stark blue background featuring a red-and-white striped flag. This decision contradicts earlier assurances from Lazarus, who had told staff just months ago that MSNBC would retain its name.
In a memo to staff, Rebecca Kutler, the network’s president, emphasized the importance of this rebrand for asserting the network’s independence. “The future of our success is not tied to keeping ‘NBC’ as part of our identity,” Kutler stated, aiming to reassure employees amid uncertainty.
MSNBC, which has remained the second-largest cable news network since its launch in 1996, has been striving to bolster its newsroom operations, hiring dozens of journalists from reputable sources such as CNN, Bloomberg, and The Washington Post. As part of its transition, the network will continue to be referred to as MSNBC for the next few months while completing the rebranding process.
The shift in branding is not uniquely limited to MSNBC. Other networks under the NBC banner, including CNBC and various sports-related channels, will also be rebranded, though CNBC will maintain its name.
As this transition unfolds, a major marketing campaign is on the horizon. Kutler described it as “unlike anything we have done in recent memory,” indicating the network’s commitment to a fresh start.
This rebranding comes at a critical time for MSNBC, which has struggled to keep pace with Fox News, maintaining a consistent second-place position in cable news ratings. As the network embarks on this new journey, viewers and employees alike are keenly watching to see how the changes will reshape its identity and news coverage.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as MSNBC prepares to redefine its brand and assert its independence in the competitive cable news landscape.